Tape cutter and splicer

ABSTRACT

A tape-splicing device in which a pressure lever is pivotally mounted over an anvil on a hollow baseboard. A slide assembly on the pressure lever supports a tape-cutting knife, and a pair of trimming knives, with said knife or knives being selectively positionable over the anvil. A click stop on the slide assembly is provided to ensure correct orientation of the knife or knives with respect to the anvil. The anvil is formed with tape guides for orienting the tape to be spliced, and the hollow baseboard is provided with an adhesive tape-supporting reel, tape-orienting guideposts to direct the adhesive tape from the reel to a delivery opening in the baseboard, and over a tape guide spring from which the tape is fed over the anvil, so that the adhesive splicing tape is maintained in a relatively dust-free condition, subject to being readily fed to the anvil for positioning over the tape to be spliced, after the tape to be spliced has been appropriately severed and positioned on the anvil.

United States Patent [72} Inventor Toshiharu Tange Tokyo, Japan [21 Appl. No. 687,577

[22] Filed Dec.4, 1967 [45] Patented Sept.21, 1971 [73] Assignee Robins Industries Corporation Flushing, N .Y.

ABSTRACT: A tape-splicing device in which a pressure lever is pivotally mounted over an anvil on a hollow baseboard. A

slide assembly on the pressure lever supports a tape-cutting h said knife or knives [54] TAPE CUTTER AND SPLICER pon knife, and a pair of trimming knives, wit being selectively positionable over the anvil. A click sto 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

on of the knife or knives with respect to the anvil. The anvil is formed with tape guides for orienting the ta and the hollow baseboard is provided with the slide assembly is provided to ensure correct orientati 0 de eP t ca d H k P y i H ba .0 o m M N, n a

supporting reel, tape-orienting guideposts to direct the adhesive tape from the reel to a delivery opening in the baseboard, and over a tape guide spring from which the tape is fed over the anvil, so that the adhesive splicing tape is maintained in a relatively dust-free condition, subject to bein M fi 0/ 5 5 5 /1 6 1 05 ml5 B i n c w m m 6 v 0 5 1|. S l m Wm m 5 m M n m E W m mT m m A m m f a .m m m D m N m h m m M m m U m I l 0 w a h H l. l. 11 l 0 6 5 5 5 l. .l. .1

H1957 Simon 156/505 the anvil for positioning over the tape to be spliced, after the 156/505 tape to be spliced has been appropriately severed and posi- Post et al. 156/505 tioned on the anvil.

t s O P 37 66 99 11 W 11 00- 2 3 806 7 4. 233

PATENTED SEP21 l97l INVENTOR TOSHIHARU TANGE Jl/J ATTORNEY.

TAPE CUTTER AND SPLICER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the art of tape splicing, and more particularly to an improved tape-splicing device particularly adapted to facilitate the splicing of recording tape.

In the splicing of recording tape, it is desirably that the spliced joint be maintained as thin as possible, and as clean as possible. The splicing of recording tape is generally accomplished by forming a butt joint between the ends of the tape to be spliced, overlaying a layer of adhesive splicing tape over the butted ends, and trimming any excess of adhesive splicing tape to the width of the tape being spliced.

A variety of devices, such for example, as shown by Simon U.S. Pat. No. 2,778,420 has been evolved to implement this splicing action.

In devices such as disclosed by the Simon patent, a cuttersupporting pressure arm is pivotally supported on a base plate having an anvil provided with a tape guide. The tape guide on the anvil serves to align the ends of the tape to be spliced on the anvil. The cutter-supporting pressure arm carries a slide member supporting a diagonally oriented cutter blade, and a pair of bowed trimmer blades. The cutter blade serves to sever the ends of the tape to be spliced to form the desired butt joint, after which the trimmer blades are slid into position over the anvil, and serves to trim the adhesive tape which has been positioned over the abutted ends of the tape to be spliced.

In utilizing devices of the type taught by the Simon patent, problems arise in the manipulation of the adhesive tape into position over the abutting ends of the tape to be spliced on the anvil. This generally entails the manual gripping of the roll of adhesive tape, with the subsequent unwinding of a desired length of adhesive tape, and holding of the length of adhesive tape between the fingers as the tape is positioned over the anvil. This manipulation often results in a twisting of the adhesive tape, and in the handling of the adhesive tape, it tends to become covered with dust, lint and other foreign particles which interfere with the splice.

Additional problems arise in using tape splicers of the Simon type in connection with the necessary orientation of the cutting of trimming blade over the anvil. Improper blade positioning with respect to the anvil can result in a damaged tape joint. Such improper orientation often results when the bladecarrying slide is not carefully positioned.

Further problems arise in that the normally raised pressure arm increases the bulk of the device during storage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is with the above problems and considerations in mind that the present improved tape-splicing device has been evolved, a device serving to implement the formation of the butt joint between the ends of the tape to be spliced, maintaining the ends in desired butting relationship, with the splicing tape supported in the device for simple feeding to a position overlying the abutting ends of the tape to be spliced, with a minimum of manual manipulation required of the splicing tape, or the tape to be spliced to thereby keep the joint clean, and facilitate the formation of a smooth joint, and with the necessary orientation of the cutting and trimming blades with respect to the anvil substantially insured.

It is among the primary objects of this invention to provide an improved tape-splicing device facilitating the formation of a desired butt joint between the ends of the tape to be spliced, and the quick positioning of the splicing tape over the joint.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tape-splicing device in which the adhesive splicing tape requires minimum manual manipulation in order to effect positioning of the splicing tape over the tape ends to be spliced.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tape-splicing device of a compact nature, facilitating its storage when not in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tape-splicing device with improved tape holddown arms for maintaining the tape in desired butting position, with spring means biasing the holddown arms into an operative or inoperative position, with movement of the arms not interfering with the mounting of the springs.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved tape splicer, with self-contained storage means for the adhesive splicing tape, and means implementing the feeding of the splicing tape to the splicing area.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a tape splicer with means ensuring proper positioning of the blade of the device with respect to the tape.

These and other objects of the invention which will become hereafter apparent, are achieved in accordance with the invention, by forming a tape-splicing device with a hollow base. Secured to the upper surface of the base is a cushioned handle having tape-orienting guides for the tape to be spliced. Pivotally mounted on the base for movement over the handle is a pressure lever on which a cutter blade support plate is slidably mounted. Affixed to the slidable cutter support plate is a tape-cutting knife, and a pair of trimming knives. A handle on the pressure lever is secured to the cutter support plate to slide same with respect to the pressure lever so as to permit selective positioning of either the cutting knife, or the pair of trimming knives into position with respect to the anvil, such that depression of the pressure lever will cause said knife or knives to cut into the tape positioned on the anvil. A click stop is formed between the slidable cutter support plate and the pressure arm to provide an audible and tactual signal indicating proper orientation of the knife or knives with respectto the anvil. A pair of tape holddown arms is pivoted on the base for movement into a position overlying the tape to be spliced to maintain said tape in position on the handle. Mounted within the hollow base of the splicing device is a tape reel on which a roll of adhesive splicing tape may be mounted, and plurality of tape guides are formed in the hollow base to guide the tape from the reel through an opening in the base, over a tape guide spring to the handle.

A feature of the invention resides in the tape guide spring which serves to guide the adhesive splicing tape to the anvil, and provides an anchoring point which though serving to maintain the free end of the adhesive splicing tape available for use, offers minimal interference to movement of the splicing tape to the anvil.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of indents in the mounting ears for the pressure lever, which indents serve to frictionally engage the lever when it is in its downward position, thus maintaining the pressure lever in this downward position for storage purposes.

A further feature of the invention resides in the formation of the tape holddown arms with a flat rear end riding on a cantilevered leaf spring secured to the anvil plate, whereby the movement of the pressure arms exerts a force on the leaf spring urging same towards the anvil to minimize forces tending to break the fastening rivet with which the leaf spring is secured to the anvil.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The specific details of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and their mode of functioning will be particularly pointed out in clear, concise, and exact terms in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view looking down at a splicing device made in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view, with parts broken away showing the splicing device with the pressure lever in elevated position, prior to the insertion of the tape ends to be spliced, and revealing in the broken away portion the splicing tape reel;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tape-splicing device showing the pressure lever in its raised position, as in FIG. 2, with one of the tape-retaining arms shown lowered on to the anvil guide;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view looking up at the lower side of the pressure lever, showing the cutter blade oriented to cut the tape to be spliced to form the desired butt joint;

FIG. is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the trimmer blades oriented to effect trimming, after the adhesive splicing tape has been secured over the butted tape ends.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawings, like numerals in the various figures will be employed to designate like parts.

As best seen in FIGS. 1-3, a hollow base 1 is provided, preferably of a generally rectangular configuration, and as shown in the illustration, provided with a rounded rear end, and as seen in FIG. 2, provided with a downwardly inclined upper surface. Within the hollow base 1, an internally threaded reel-mounting shaft 2 is provided affixed at its upper end to the base 1, as best seen in FIG. 2. Coil spring 3 is positioned over the shaft 2, and an edge-knurled slotted thumbscrew 4 is threaded into the internally threaded opening of mounting shaft 2.

The adhesive splicing tape 5 which is generally wound on a cardboard core, is held on reel 6 formed by two flanged plates, as best seen in FIG. 2 which engage the spool of tape, and are spring pressed thereagainst by the action of spring 3 against the upper plate of reel 6. A smooth-surfaced vertical tape guidepost 7 is mounted in the hollow of base 1, as best seen in FIG. 2.

A tape delivery opening 8 is formed in the upper wall of base 1 by upsetting guide flanges 9 on each side of the opening 8, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. A horizontal tape guide rod 10 is extended between flanges 9, and the tape 5 is led from vertical tape guide 7 under horizontal tape guide rod 10 through the opening 8 to the upper side of the base 1.

Positioned on the upper surface of baseboard 1 is a mounting plate 11 having an opening aligned and coextensive with tape delivery opening 8 in the baseboard l. A guide anvil a having a flat central portion and channel-shaped ends, as best viewed in FIG. 3, is secured on mounting plate 11, and an anvil cushion 12 formed of any resilient material, preferably a polyvinyl sheet, is arranged to overlie the upper surface of the anvil.

A tape guide spring 13, contoured as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, is cantilevered on mounting plate 11 to which it is secured by rivets or the like. At the rear end of the mounting plate 11, upstanding flanges 14 are provided. These flanges 14 are formed with outwardly extending protuberances 14a, which may readily be formed by indenting flanges 14 to upset some of the material thereof.

Eivotally mounted on the flanges 14 is a boxlike pressure leijer 15 dimensioned to straddle the flanges l4, and with the sidewalls of the lever is spaced so that the interior surface of the lever sidewalls frictionally engage the protruberances 14a with a force sufficient to maintain the pressure lever at any point to which it has been brought into contact with the protruberances 14a.

A pivot rod 16 extends from a point spaced from the outer sidewalls of pressure lever 15 through the pressure lever sidewalls, and through the flanges 14, as best seen in FIG. 3. Coil spring 17 is arranged about pivot rod 16 with one free end of the coil spring bearing against mounting plate 11, and the other free end of the coil spring bearing against the inner surface of the upper wall pressure lever 16, so as to bias the pressure lever 15 to the upward position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

A slot 18, as best seen in FIG. 4, is formed in the upper wall of pressure lever 15, and handle 19 is mounted on the pressure lever 15 for sliding over slot 18. A knife bar supporting slide assembly is arranged within the pressure lever 15, and is secured to the handle 19 by means of a screw or the like fastening member 200 which extends from slot assembly 20 through the slot 18 and into the handle 19, with the screw 20a freely slidable in slot 18 so that sliding movement of the handle 19 moves the knife-bar-supporting slide assembly 211.

The slot assembly 20 is formed with a trimmer-knife-bladesupporting bar 21, as best seen in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, with a pair of trimmer blades 22, one on each side of bar 21, and a cushion 23 on the bar between the knife blades. Cushion 23, as best seen in FIG. 3, extends beyond the edge of the knife blades 22. Cutter knife blade support bar 24, extending diagonally with respect to the axis of the slide assembly 20 has cutter knife blade 25 secured to one side thereof, and cushion 26 arranged on the lower surface of the cutter support bar 24 extending beyond the edge of cutter blade 25, as best seen in FIG. 3.

A spring plate 27 is affixed to the slide assembly and a ball detent 28 (shown in dot-dash in FIGS. 4 and 5) is biased by this spring into engagement with openings 29 and 29a respectively at the desired limiting end of movement of the slide assembly, so as to provide click stops at the limits of movement of the slide assembly providing an audible and tactual signal indicating that the knife blades have been properly oriented with respect to the anvil. In order to further ensure limitation of the forward movement of the slide assembly, an adjustable limit screw 30, as best seen in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, is secured to the slide assembly for abutment against the front wall of the pressure lever 15 in its most forwardly limited position.

Tape holddown arms 31 contoured as illustrated in the drawings, are pivotally mounted on the ends of pivot rods 16 extending on each side of pressure lever 15, as best seen in FIG. 3. These tape holddown arms 31 are formed with a flat rear end adapted to bear against the upturned cantilevered end of spring 32 which is riveted to mounting plate II, as best seen in FIG. 3. The right angle formed between the rear wall of holddown arm 31 and the bottom surface of holddown arm 31, as best seen in FIG. 2, cams on the free end of spring 32, with the flat surface of the rear wall of arm 31 sitting on the free end of spring 32, as best seen in FIG. 2, when the holddown arm is raised.

OPERATION In use, the aforedescribed splicer may be employed for splicing a variety of different types of tape, but as disclosed, it is intended for use in connection with audio tape. Such audio tape must periodically be spliced to piece up broken ends, or to edit a prepared tape.

This isaccomplished by using the aforedescribed device to form the necessary butt joint between the ends of the tape to be spliced, and to facilitate the positioning of the adhesive splicing tape over the buttedjoint.

With pressure lever 15 and tape holddown arms 31 elevated to the position shown in FIG. 2, the tape to be spliced is positioned between the guide channels of the anvil a with the tape ends to be spliced overlapping. Thereafter, the handle 19 on the pressure lever is moved to its rearmost position (the dotted line position shown in FIG. 2) at which point the clicking action of the ball 28 coming to rest in hole 29a signals proper cutter blade orientation. The pressure lever is then brought down towards the anvil a, cutting the overlapping ends of the tape to be spliced which have been positioned on the anvil. The cut formed is at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the tape. It will be noted that the tape holddown arms 31 which lie beneath the lateral extensions of handle 19, as best seen in FIG. 3, are brought down against the tape, as the pressure lever 15 is brought down towards the anvil. Thus, simultaneously with the cutting of the tape, the tape ends are maintained in abutted relationship on the anvil.

Thereafter, the pressure lever 15 is raised to the position shown in FIG. 3, and the handle 19 moved to the solid line position shown in FIG. 2, at which point the clicking action of the ball 28 coming to rest in hole 29 signals the fact that the trimmer blades 22 are in proper orientation with respect to the anvil. The free end of the adhesive splicing tape 5, which is temporarily anchored on tape spring guide 13, is then manually gripped and pulled over the anvil, and pressed over the abutted tape ends.

Thereafter, by bringing pressure lever down towards the anvil, the trimmer blades 22 cut the adhesive splicing tape on each side of the spliced tape ends to form a clean, spliced butt joint, and simultaneously the free end of the splicing tape is anchored on the spring 13.

Raising the pressure lever 15, along with the tape holddown arms 31 frees the spliced tape, permitting its removal from the anvil.

Spring 16 normally biases the pressure lever to the upward position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. However, during periods of storage, by forcing the pressure lever downwardly towards the base, the frictional engagement of the sidewalls of the pressure lever 15 with abutments 14a serves to maintain the pressure lever in its downward position facilitating storage.

It is thus seen that a simple, effective tape-splicing device has been provided serving to implement the positioning of the adhesive splicing tape with respect to the tape ends to be spliced, facilitating the fonnation of a desired butt joint and insuring the positioning of the cutting and trimming blades with respect to the anvil in a secure, positive fashion.

The above disclosure has been given by way of illustration and elucidation, and not by way of limitation, and it is desired to protect all embodiments of the herein disclosed inventive concept within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A tape splicer comprising a hollow base member; an adhesive splicing tape-supporting reel enclosed in said hollow base; an anvil on said base positioned adjacent a tape feed opening in said base through which adhesive tape from said reel may be fed over said anvil; a pressure lever pivotally mounted on said base; a knife-blade-supporting slide assembly on said pressure lever; a cutter knife blade on said slide assembly; a trimmer knife blade on said slide assembly; signal means indicating the proper orientation of either said cutter knife blade or said trimmer knife blade with respect to said anvil; and a cantilever tape guide spring mounted adjacent the tape feed opening, over which the adhesive splicing tape is fed and on which the free end of the tape is anchored.

2. A tape splicer, as in claim 1, in which said signal means comprise a spring pressed member on said slide assembly movable into one of two openings on said pressure lever.

3. A tape splicer, as in claim 1, in which said pressure lever is pivoted on flanges upstanding from said base; and projections on said flanges frictionally engage the pressure lever. 

2. A tape splicer, as in claim 1, in which said signal means comprise a spring pressed member on said slide assembly movable into one of two openings on said pressure lever.
 3. A tape splicer, as in claim 1, in which said pressure lever is pivoted on flanges upstanding from said base; and projections on said flanges frictionally engage the pressure lever. 